Best Wine Values for 2008

See the process we use to select the best value wines in this earlier article. The key to the process, is the comparison of quality level to price level. Both are rated at Spirit of Wine in a five-point scale. If the quality of a wine is two or more levels above the price level, then this is considered an awesome value. When quality is even one level above, that signifies good value. But two levels or more means this is a simply stunning value. At low price levels, these are some of the best bargains in the world of wine.

It is impossible to predict the type of wineyou'll most enjoy. But choose one from among those featured below and you'll know you're getting great value. The number of stars represents quality level; the number of dollar signs represents price level.

For 48 wines selected as top values from the first half of 2008, please see this article. Meanwhile, here are the top picks reviewed during the second half of 2008.

Cheers!

Five-star second half 2008 wine values:

***** $$ 2006 Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia - Review and Rating

Four-star second half 2008 wine values:

**** $ Columbia Crest Grand Estates Shiraz, 2003, Columbia Valley, WA - Review and Rating

**** $ Yellow Tail The Reserve Shiraz, 2006, South Eastern Australia - Review and Rating

**** $$ Martini & Rossi Asti Sparkling Wine, N/V, Torino, Italy

**** $ Heartland Stickleback Red, 2006, South Australia

****+ $$ The Winner's Tank Shiraz, Eskadale Vineyards, 2006, Langhorne Creek, Australia

**** $$ Penfolds Private Release Shiraz Cabernet, 2006, South Eastern Australia

**** $ 2006 Henry's Drive Pillar Box Red, Padthaway, Australia

**** $$ Step Rd Black Wing Shiraz 2005, Australia

Three-star second half 2008 wine values:

*** $ King Fish Shiraz, 2006, CA - Review and Rating

*** $ Copperidge White Zinfandel, CA - Review and Rating

*** $ Thorpe Nymph Shiraz, 2004, McLaren Vale, Australia

*** $ Haddon Cellars Pinot Grigio, 2006, CA

*** $ Winzerverein Deidesheim Dornfelder, 2005, Pfalz, Germany

***+ $ Rancho Zabaco Dancing Bull Zinfandel, 2003, CA

***+ $ NV Alvear Fino Sherry, Montilla, Spain

*** $ French Rabbit Pinot Noir, 2004, Vin de Pays d'Oc, France

*** $ Blackstone Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003, CA

And here are a few three star plus wines that came close, but didn't quite make the list:

***+ $$ Festivo Malbec, 2004, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina - Review and Rating

***+ $$ Strong Arms Shiraz, 2006, South Australia - Review and Rating

***+ $$ Sebastiani Chardonnay, 2006, Sonoma, CA - Review and Rating

***+ $$ Barnard Griffin Merlot, 2005, Columbia Valley, WA

***+ $$ Raymond Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005, Napa CA - Review and Rating

***+ $$ Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Barossa Shiraz, 2006, Australia - Review and